FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS HIT THE LANES

Franklin Elementary School students tried out their bowling skills at
Totem Bowl Thursday.

The event coincided with Red Ribbon Week, which advocates drug
prevention.

"This activity shows another way to have fun without drugs or
alcohol," said Anne Paullus, principal of Franklin Elementary School.

Students wore red to school on Wednesday and will have an assembly
that focuses on responsible behavior as part of the event-filled week.

"Many haven't had the experience of bowling," Paullus said. " We have
a lot of parents here willing to help out and bowl."

Bus loads of students arrived at Totem Bowl at different intervals
throughout the day.

"There were three waves of kids," said Paullus. "The first group was
kindergarten and fourth-grade, then second and third-grade and fifth
and first-grade."

"This event lets them know they have a lot of options for fun,"
Paullus said. "It also provides social skill building and establishing
friendships."

For Austin Leonard, 7, the event was a "fun time."

"It's the first time I got a spare," Leonard said. "I just rolled it
[the ball] and hit one pin and knocked down the rest of them."

Leonard said that he usually bowls with his mom, dad, uncle and
aunt.

"The spare I got was the best part," Leonard said. "Everyone was
clapping."

"I got my first strike today," said Bailey Garwood, 7. "That was my
favorite part of today."

Red Ribbon Week takes place across the nation's schools and
communities during the last weekend in October.